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Nickel Beach

Nickel Beach where Lake Erie water meets more than a mile of white sand providing great windsurfing, swimming and sunbathing. Picnic areas along with rest room facilities and volleyball courts provide visitors with a natural recreation facility.

Located at the end of Welland Street, close to downtown on the east side of the canal.

Sherkston Shores

Fun for the whole family is guaranteed at this lakefront playground. Over 7 kilometres of clean sandy beaches highlight one of North America's largest campground sites. A giant water slide, mini golf, tennis, picnic groves, water sport rentals, and horseback riding assure you'll never get bored.

Located the end of Empire Road, south of Highway #3 on the east side of the canal.

Is Lake Erie Safe for Swimming?

Generally the beaches of Eastern Lake Erie are safe throughout the summer. Problems develop during periods of hot weather when warm and cold layers of water stay separate. This phenomenon deprives the warm upper layer of oxygen.

The Niagara Public Health Department 'posts' beaches as unsafe for swimming when the water contains levels of bacteria that may increase a bather's risk of developing a variety of irritations and infections. Most common are minor skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections and occasional stomach disorders. Sometimes a beach may be posted unsafe because of floating debris, oil, scum, excessive weed growth, bad odors and general turbidity.

The status of local beaches is rated by the Department of Health each Friday during the summer.

To obtain information on the status of beaches in the Niagara Region call tool free 1-888-505-6074, ext. 7789.